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QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 907061; External: 907065; Springfield campus: 927061

CRICOS code (International applicants): 053510F

You are currently viewing the 2023 Handbook. For study in 2024, please refer to the .

Notes

In 2023 the program follows the Semester calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Semester calendar.

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Professional accreditation

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science (Surveying) is accredited by the Surveyors Board of Queensland and graduates may seek registration with the Board of Surveyors.

Graduates from the GIS and Surveying majors in the Associate Degree of Spatial Science are eligible to apply for membership with the .

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Program aims

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science program provides students with the theory, methods and practices required by an associate to support a practising professional spatial scientist. To this end the program provides students with a general understanding of the broad practice and knowledge in the spatial science profession and the technical skills to work in one of three fields: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Surveying or Urban and Regional Planning.

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Program objectives

A student who successfully completes the Associate Degree of Spatial Science should be able to:

• display a broad range of theoretical and technical knowledge, including the underlying principles and concepts fundamental to spatial science

• identify, analyse and evaluate information in order to solve technical problems within a limited range and context of spatial science

• collect, store, adapt and manipulate spatial data to communicate effectively with a range of audiences including professionals, para-professionals, clients and the wider community

• exercise appropriate judgement when identifying and responding to cultural, ethical, environmental and social issues

• adapt to change, master new techniques and the skills required to process information and pathway to undertake further learning and study

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 06. Graduates at this level will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Program Information Set

View UniSQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under via the QTAC website.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 62.7, or equivalent qualification.^

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.

Applicants are advised to also note the following:

• expectations: English; General Mathematics

• Recommended Prior ¾«¶«´«Ã½app: Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Associate Degree of Spatial Science program consists of 16 Academic courses and two or three Practice courses, depending upon major (Geographic Information Systems, Surveying or Urban and Regional Planning).

Academic courses are one-unit courses and involve approximately 155 hours of student work per unit.

Practice courses are zero unit courses and each involves approximately 50 hours of student work.

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

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Electives/Approved courses

Approved courses are part of the academic program and students should select approved courses from the list provided.

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Practice courses

The major practical work requirements associated with each of the Engineering and Built Environment programs are contained within a series of Practice courses. These courses are designed to enhance learning, communication and practical skills through laboratory sessions, workshops, seminars, field trips and group activities.

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Practical experience

Work experience is desirable and encouraged but is not required for the completion of the Associate Degree of Spatial Science. Students are encouraged to obtain work experience during vacation periods.

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IT requirements

For information technology requirements, please refer to the .

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. To find out more about , visit the to view specific dates for your degree, or visit the .

Students are required to undertake practical and professional activities relevant to their program through enrolment in a series of Practice courses in the program. Practice courses are zero unit courses that may be undertaken in either on-campus or external mode and the final grades available are Pass (P)/Fail (F) only. They are a compulsory part of the program and do not attract a student contribution charge for Australian residents or a tuition fee for international students. The recommended enrolment schedule for Practice courses is shown in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern for the program in this Handbook.

External students must attend a number of residential schools during their program to obtain experience in practical and professional activities appropriate to the program. The residential schools are included in Practice courses which are conducted in Semester 3 or during the recess periods. The dates for each residential school Practice course are shown in the in this Handbook and external students should ensure they are able to attend the residential school prior to enrolling in a Practice course. Personal protective equipment is compulsory in many engineering, construction and spatial science laboratories, students should confirm the requirements before attending residential schools for Practice courses.

Students who enrol in on-campus mode for Practice courses normally undertake a series of weekly activities and/or attend a compulsory residential school.

Geographic Information Systems

• SVY1901 Surveying and Spatial Science Practice 1

• GPL2901 GIS and Planning Practice 1^#

Surveying

• SVY1901 Surveying and Spatial Science Practice 1

• SVY2902 Surveying and Spatial Science Practice 2

• SVY2903 Surveying and Spatial Science Practice 3

Urban and Regional Planning

• SVY1901 Surveying and Spatial Science Practice 1

• GPL2901 GIS and Planning Practice 1^#

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Articulation

The Urban and Regional Planning major articulates fully to the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours). With the possible exception of a couple of courses, the other majors articulate to the Bachelor of Surveying Technology and the Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) .

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Exit points

Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Associate Degree of Spatial Science and who satisfy all of the requirements of the may be permitted to exit with that award.

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the .

Work Experience

Work and industrial experience that has not been formally assessed, does not normally qualify for course credit in the Associate Degree of Spatial Science program.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Geographic Information Systems major recommended full-time enrolment pattern
• Geographic Information Systems major recommended part-time enrolment pattern
• Surveying major recommended full-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)
• Surveying major recommended part-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)
• Urban and Regional Planning major recommended full-time enrolment pattern
• Urban and Regional Planning major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

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Geographic Information Systems major recommended full-time enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

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Geographic Information Systems major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

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Surveying major recommended full-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

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Surveying major recommended part-time enrolment pattern (Toowoomba and Springfield campus)

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

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Urban and Regional Planning major recommended full-time enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

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Urban and Regional Planning major recommended part-time enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.